Report of Mesembrinibis cayennensis in the buffer zone of Santa Fe National Park, Veraguas Province, Panama
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66327/rci.v4i2.81Keywords:
Aquatic birds, green ibis, humid tropical forest, ecological connectivity, Threskiornithidae, VeraguasAbstract
The presence of Mesembrinibis cayennensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Pelecaniformes: Threskiornithidae) was recorded in the buffer zone of Santa Fe National Park (SFNP), El Pantano district, Santa Fe municipality, Veraguas Province, Panama (8°31'45.6" N, 81°05'08.5" W), on February 7, 2026, as part of the biodiversity monitoring activities conducted under the Sustainable Rural Development and Biodiversity Conservation Project (BIORURAL) of the Ministry of Environment. The observation was made through systematic surveys in an area of tropical humid forest characterized by continuous tree cover and the presence of permanent water bodies. The individual was identified through direct observation using Nikon PROSTAFF P3 8×42 binoculars, verified with specialized field guides, and confirmed through photographic documentation. Mesembrinibis cayennensis is characterized by its iridescent greenish-black plumage, green decurved bill, short legs, and a small occipital crest, features that enabled its identification in the field. The eBird platform contains twelve records of the species within SFNP and its buffer zone between 2018 and 2026, indicating its continuous presence in the area. This finding reinforces the ecological value of the SFNP buffer zone as a connectivity area for species associated with mature forests and well-preserved riparian habitats, and highlights the importance of systematic biodiversity monitoring in regions surrounding protected areas.
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